GPSMAP 64 s bluetooth connection problem to ios solved

Hi all,

I decided to post this to help people who are facing the same problem as I did.

I bought 2 days ago a brand new Garmin GPSMAP 64S. When I tried to connect it to my iPhone 6S (iOS 9.3.2) the phone couldn't even see the GPS. Only my old Android tablet and my Win10 PC could see it by bluetooth.

I googled my problem and saw that people could connect it but with FW 4.0

I decided to downgrade the GPS firmware from 4.2 to 4.0 and WOW! it works now!

I'm not sure that this problem occurs to all GPSMAP 64S with FW 4.2 but if you have the issue, you could try to downgrade.

Did you try latest Version 4.30 by any chance? Although there's no mention of BT in it's changelog it wouldn't be the first time Garmin has messed up then quietly fixed it in the next firmware release without comment.

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Don't know how they work, but with FW 4.20, the connection doesn't work with my iPhone 6s, but also doesn't work with iPad air 2, iPad mini, Samsung galaxy S3, etc.
In fact, on all those stuffs, the GPSMAP is even not detectable!

It was only detectable by my old Android tablet and my Win10 PC!

I haven't tried the 4.30, I don't know if this FW still allows to use unlocked maps... do you know if this is risky or not?

You can always roll-back anyway to V4.00 from V4.30 as you've done from V4.20 but the risk has to be yours. I'd test but i don't have a 64 to hand. If you patch the firmware for GPSMAP 64 it can use unlocked maps: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ].

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Interesting problem if indeed it's correct that Garmin would remove from V4.20> the BT connectivity to i-devices and modern android ones too then call it 'improved bluetooth pairing'. Reports of experience with V4.20/4.30 from other 64 users would be welcome.

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For me the same. I bought GPS with 4.2, and there was no way to connect it with iphone. I upgrade it to 4.3. The same problem. I uploaded patched firmware for unlocked maps 4.3, the same problem exist. Then I downgrade it with patched firmware for unlocked maps ver. 4.0 and it's working like charm....

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